POZ Community Forums
Off Topic Forums => Off Topic Forum => Topic started by: Joe K on March 08, 2010, 04:52:20 pm
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For years, we have heard the claims that there exists here a cult, a clique or what have you, that seems to share the nefarious objective of educating members regarding HIV, but that somehow offends certain segments of these forums. Since we can never convince some members, that nothing exists here, other than a shared sense of belonging, then I want my just due and if I am going to be nefarious, being in a clique or cult, just doesn't cut it.
I therefore propose that all reference to a cult of whatever, be forever known as the AIDSmeds Cabal. To me, the word "Cabal" infers all the requirements of the utmost in nefariousness and besides, "clique" was so high school. I think we should have a rotating leader, say monthly and we can PM our members with the next act of nefariousness to be perpetrated upon these forums.
I eagerly await your responses.
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Thanks for bringing this up, Joe, because I too have noticed a distinct uptick in these wildly outlandish, conspiratorial and quite frankly laughable accusations. I have to ponder what the psychological profile could be behind all of this. Any ideas?
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I have to ponder what the psychological profile could be behind all of this. Any ideas?
Almost like "paranoid narcissism." Anyway, yes, I think an Aidsmeds Cabal is a smashing idea. For the first month, I nominate my commrade, Ms. P. for the leadership role.
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Wait you mean you guys aren't part of "Me and my clique" or as some referred to it "U n Ur Clik!"?
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wtf ... I wanted to join a cult .
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What? A Cabal! O noez!!!! (http://tool.shagnasty.net/wiki/images/7/7a/Flail.gif)
MtD
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OK, first, no stealing from bygone eras, comrade is too Russian and I am leaning toward "associates" as it is a rather imprecise term and infers the required amount of nefarious intent on our parts. Cult is so Jim Jones and KoolAid and besides, how could we ever get you to drink "our solution"?
And Hell, if you have to ask if you are a part of the Cabal... I'm afraid you lack the required evil, to continue our mission of educating folks about HIV.
Seriously though, I wonder if the fact that so many have us have survived with HIV, for decades, does not confer unto us, a form of inferred knowledge and experience and maybe we simply represent authority figures. I remember Chris, who was the first guy I talked to, when I tested poz and he was an old timer, in that he had lived for almost a year with HIV. Remember, that was 1985, and this guy was trying to make me feel better about being POZ and it would never have crossed my mind, to belittle or attack him for those efforts.
That's how I feel sometimes, when members make comments about cliques, as if what we are trying to do, was somehow detrimental to their health. Yes we can be obnoxious and persistent about treating HIV, BECAUSE WE WATCHED COUNTLESS PEOPLE DIE OF HIV INFECTION. I don't expect members to hold me on a pedestal, just because I survive with HIV, I just want them to respect me and my experience. So when you tell me, that I am preaching, or that I am squashing your free speech or trying to jam my opinions down your throat, you could not be more wrong.
What I am trying to do, as we all are, is to keep as many people living with HIV as I possibly can. If that involves ruffling some feathers, or slapping someone upside the head, to awake them from their stupor, then that is what will happen. Living with HIV can be a real bitch, but it does not have to be and that, above all, is our ultimate message. All I ask is that each of us be treated with respect, for who and what we have experienced, period. All the rest will flow from that.
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I'm too chic to be in a cabal but maybe a caftan and headscarf.
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Oooh, me loves this idea. Will we be lighting up hands of glory, doing weekly seances, and all that good sinister schtuff?
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A good friend of us all died last month, and I just learned today that another aquaintance, although no longer a friend, is in ICU for the last 2 weeks. I'm already in the cabal, but my hesitation is that people lurking might get the wrong idea when we refer to ourselves as such...will they get the irony? Will they think we are seriously cabalish and not want to join in the coversation? We can call ourselves whatever we want but we are what we are, and we will root out the conspiratorialists with or without another name for our club.
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and we can PM our members with the next act of nefariousness to be perpetrated upon these forums.
This is a great Idea. We definately need some structure in dishing out nefariousness here. Plus I've always wanted to be a member of a Cabal.
Can we have cool little hand signals and dress in robes (with sequins of course)?
-Will
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I was thinking Naked Dancing(tm) at every full moon, high holy day, and during the summer solstice and autumnal equinox?
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I'm not dancing naked .... Lipo butt .
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I'm not dancing naked .... Lipo butt .
But, but, but.... we'd be looking at your smile!
I've got some serious things to say about all this too, but it's going to have to wait for morning.
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I've got some serious things to say about all this too, but it's going to have to wait for morning.
By morning we will have descended deeper into anarchy with all the denialists, conspiratists, and revive'n 3 y/o threadists.
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Thanks Joe. I'm so there.
From now on I only drink AIDSmeds Cabal water.
;D
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By morning we will have descended deeper into anarchy with all the denialists, conspiratists, and revive'n 3 y/o threadists.
Puhleeze. Why don't you just stick a needle in my eye and get it over with?
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Puhleeze. Why don't you just stick a needle in my eye and get it over with?
No thanks. I prefer to just poke it repeatedly with a stick.
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No thanks. I prefer to just poke it repeatedly with a stick.
Figures.
~sigh~
::)
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I was thinking Naked Dancing(tm) at every full moon, high holy day, and during the summer solstice and autumnal equinox?
I'm all about getting naked, though I don't do much vertical dancing. A cabal sounds fun... kind of high-school girlish even.
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Can we play Light as a Feath Stiff as a board?
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Hell or what about poke me with your dagger...........LOL
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What? A Cabal! O noez!!!! (http://tool.shagnasty.net/wiki/images/7/7a/Flail.gif)
MtD
;)
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I am willing to accept huge amounts off money from Drug companies to spread lies and disinformation regarding combo regimes...
Today I will be wearing very dark glasses
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Interesting thread.
:eyeroll:
I wish it were more humurous...
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Interesting thread.
:eyeroll:
I wish it were more humurous...
Come on in, the water's fine. Can I interest you in some koolaid?
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>
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I hold you on a pedestal because you look damn GOOD in a kilt!!! just sayin :D
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Interesting thread.
:eyeroll:
I wish it were more humurous...
It would be if this really was a joke. We kid about it, from time to time, but some posters really think that there is some form of "gathered influence" that resides here and it's simply not true. We have some posters who are more active than others, but trust me, there is little "group think" here... other than that common bond of debauchery, perversion and fabulousness. We are just as we appear, a very diverse group, comprised of incredibly deep friendships, who collectively agree that what we are doing has value. Most of us are here, other than friendship, to help anyone who is struggling with being poz. Sometimes the support comes with a whip and other times a shoulder on which to cry.
We may not always get the form of support right, however, we never turn anyone away, ever, unless they are unable to abide by forum rules. I suggest you spend some time reading these forums and then you would understand why we think the idea of "group think" is ludicrous, but rumors die hard, hence the need for these threads, from time to time.
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It would be if this really was a joke. We kid about it, from time to time, but some posters really think that there is some form of "gathered influence" that resides here and it's simply not true. We have some posters who are more active than others, but trust me, there is little "group think" here... other than that common bond of debauchery, perversion and fabulousness. We are just as we appear, a very diverse group, comprised of incredibly deep friendships, who collectively agree that what we are doing has value. Most of us are here, other than friendship, to help anyone who is struggling with being poz. Sometimes the support comes with a whip and other times a shoulder on which to cry.
We may not always get the form of support right, however, we never turn anyone away, ever, unless they are unable to abide by forum rules. I suggest you spend some time reading these forums and then you would understand why we think the idea of "group think" is ludicrous, but rumors die hard, hence the need for these threads, from time to time.
Joe, I respectfully have to disagree with you regarding the groupthink aspect here. Groupthink occurs in any large group; online or otherwise. It's psychological in nature, and it most definitely occurs here. What would you call a group of members who form quick opinions that matches the group concensus, and then chastises (at times) anyone who happens to disagree, or happens to have a slightly different view? I recall a particular thread you and I replied to not to long ago. I came to the defense of the OP without realizing the OP edited his original comments. I have no doubt others failed to critically evaluate the information before them, and followed your lead without having viewed the OPs original comments.
There has been talk in the past of a clique here at AM, which is much different than groupthink. I don't believe a clique exists here. However, groupthink is well and alive here. It's comes with the territory of belonging to such a large group of people.
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I don't think that group think should be confused with a shared commitment. You make mention of posters forming opinions, that match the group consensus and I want to know what they are? I've never talked with anyone about forming any kind of consensus on how we respond to posters, or how we respond to any range of topics. I just do not see any connection. What I see is a very diverse group of people and usually when things get heated, it involves topics that are very dear to this forum and with that, you sometimes have powerful personalities. I like to think that we support the opinions of all, but sometimes it may not seem that way, but somehow we still keep those shared values and more than not, those flareups prove to be quite illuminating.
I don't like the idea of anyone defining me, as if I were a cog in some vast machine. Sorry, I can't accept it and I won't. Just because someone disagrees with you, no matter the reason, does not make them guilty of any more, than their own actions. I own what I do and say, nobody tells me what to think and I like to think that we all share that view.
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We are just as we appear, a very diverse group, comprised of incredibly deep friendships, who collectively agree that what we are doing has value. Most of us are here, other than friendship, to help anyone who is struggling with being poz. Sometimes the support comes with a whip and other times a shoulder on which to cry.
...And, as much as you might butt heads and disagree with some of us, don't think it isn't appreciated. Even with the occasional cattiness and bluntness that occurs, it is quite helpful!
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Matty will know.
Does the cabal play soggy sao at its meetings?
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Matty will know.
Does the cabal play soggy sao at its meetings?
Only if the Saos are kosher. It's a jewish conspiracy, you know. :)
MtD
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Only if the Saos are kosher. It's a jewish conspiracy, you know. :)
MtD
Do they serve beer? "Have a, Have a Nagila..Have a Nagila... Drink Nagila Kosher Brew!"
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Do they serve beer? "Have a, Have a Nagila..Have a Nagila... Drink Nagila Kosher Brew!"
You should memorise that one and tell it at dinner parties.
MtD
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You should memorise that one and tell it at dinner parties.
MtD
No, I can't take credit for it... My best friend (who passed in 2004) first joked about it.
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Yeah, they could all be amused by the Asperger's baby.
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Yeah, they could all be amused by the Asperger's baby.
Considering most Asperger's kids are more intelligent than average, it would probably be amused by them.
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I don't think that group think should be confused with a shared commitment. You make mention of posters forming opinions, that match the group consensus and I want to know what they are? I've never talked with anyone about forming any kind of consensus on how we respond to posters, or how we respond to any range of topics. I just do not see any connection. What I see is a very diverse group of people and usually when things get heated, it involves topics that are very dear to this forum and with that, you sometimes have powerful personalities. I like to think that we support the opinions of all, but sometimes it may not seem that way, but somehow we still keep those shared values and more than not, those flareups prove to be quite illuminating.
I don't like the idea of anyone defining me, as if I were a cog in some vast machine. Sorry, I can't accept it and I won't. Just because someone disagrees with you, no matter the reason, does not make them guilty of any more, than their own actions. I own what I do and say, nobody tells me what to think and I like to think that we all share that view.
Joe, I'm not trying to label or define you in anyway. But if you think groupthink does not exist in a group as diverse as as AM your are sorely mistaken. It's not uncommon for individuals to conform their opinion to the group consensus. It occurs in the workplace, school campuses, our government, etc. To think it doesn't happen here is silly. It's not a matter of there being a conspiracy of any sort. Or speaking with members prior to posting to ensure there is a consensus among the small group of vocal members. At times, it's simply people jumping on the bandwagon for whatever reason. There's nothing wrong with groupthink until it starts to stifle opposing opinions and views. And in my opinion, that happens here more than it should. While there are many topics discussed here with undisputed facts, there are also those topics which are open to interpretation to those represented here from different cultures, lifestyles, etc. I think we've all seen members come and go rather quickly here because they were chastised for their opposing views.
I have no doubt in my mind your thoughts are your own, and that you own what you say. There are very few members here I respect for that very reason. You are one of them, whether we agree or not.
I do have to ask what the purpose of this thread is, though. As you mentioned in one of your posts above, there are a small group of members here who are most vocal (another topic worth exploring. Perhaps there's a reason why such a small number out of such a large membership actively participate). Yet, only less than a handful within the last month or so have made any form of comment regarding groupthink or cliques. Are we tyring to convince ourselves or that small minority that our environment here is anything less than inviting?
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I started the thread as a joke, something we could have fun with, but some people are just so serious, it removes any fun from being nefarious.
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I don't know if it is group think or more a shared opinion that someone is a douche. I think the clique thing has more to do with how frequent people post on here then anything else. I have been much more active on here in the last year because I am unemployed and bored :)
I would like to join the Cult and also would welcome a huge wad of cash from the pharmaceutical companies to spread their propaganda. AIDS is a huge conspiracy after all, why not cash in ? ::)
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I started the thread as a joke, something we could have fun with, but some people are just so serious, it removes any fun from being nefarious.
I must have missed the humour. Afterall, I don't belong to the so called AM Cabal. :D
Are you sure you're trying to be "nefarious?" That typically is not a word associated with kind hearted humour or jokes. Perhaps that's why I missed it.
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I heard the leader of the Cabal sports a pair of Terminator glasses. Can anyone confirm?
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I vote cheese and crackers, wine, and an end to the mine is better then yours stuff... you are all beautiful in your own ways...
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I'm going to find my niche by way of merchandising . I'm now taking orders for the Aids meds cabal secret decoder ring for $19.95 but wait that's not all you get ...
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......... a set of rose coloured glasses. How,s that JG?
Persoanlly I think the idea of a cabal is great. How the hell are we going to hold planning meetings where the brew is flowing?
Shit, I hate the virtual world. I want to give Joe a big hug, and all I can do is type it. How the fuck is this supposed to really work?
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That works for me Tim . Don't worry about the planning meetings its all on me . I have made a fortune selling my placebo miracle cure elixir over in the am I infected forum .
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I'm going to find my niche by way of merchandising . I'm now taking orders for the Aids meds cabal secret decoder ring
Will there be T-shirts to?????
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Yes Yes John there will be Tee shirts and coolots and clogs for those so inclined .
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I'm going to find my niche by way of merchandising . I'm now taking orders for the Aids meds cabal secret decoder ring for $19.95 but wait that's not all you get ...
..... if you act now we'll also include autographed pictures of David Carradine's death pics that have been officially notorized for authenticity by Keith Carradine, but wait that's not all......
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I don't do coo lots, so maybe a nice kilt as they are very good at hiding lippo buts. But rather than focusing on what we might wear, I want to hear what we might do, with our recommitting to the Cabal. I think, for those members, who are unwilling to bend to our will, that we mail them a picture of a severed horse head, as a future warning. For those who don't get that message, our next step would be to capture their avatar and hold it for ransom. With the ultimate punishment being the un-digitizing of said avatar.
Finally, we need someone to help formulate, our nefarious laugh, in print, so we can use it to strike fear into all of our minions.
edited to add: Dennis, do you get the joke now? I purposely used "nefarious" as the word represents the exact opposite of what we all do here.
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I'm now taking orders for the Aids meds cabal secret decoder ring for $19.95 but wait that's not all you get ...
I'm holding out for the Ginsu knives. They'll be handy here. :D
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I'm holding out for the Ginsu knives. They'll be handy here. :D
No kidding!!! ;)
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Well, I's just gonna say, if anyone disagrees with me I's gonna shove 3 efavirenz up their mother's butt.
On the other hand, I have been know to change my mind and apologise.
The internet arts of letting shit pass, and also of politely telling someone to stop jerking off in public with their own toes, should of course be taught in high school these days. Since my trade these days all seems to be 1) young enough to be born of my loins and in college costing me a lot of money for a non-employment skill or 2) their divorced fathers, who am I to complain (actually they are all recently diagnosed and want to talk about meds and shit, but there are side benefits).
The point of being experienced is to tell what's what, the point of being new is to mix it up a bit. It livens up the bus shelter.
The idea of printing up a T that says "I belong to an Internet cabal" is, however, very appealing.
I need to go check and see if my SvO2 is above 90 yet with the handy finger reader thing a mate got me in Hong Kong or else the poppers is off for another night.
- matt
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I want to give Joe a big hug, and all I can do is type it. How the fuck is this supposed to really work?
Me to moffie, a big hug to Joe...in answer to your question...of course we can make this work we are a conspiratorial group of plotters/planners..how can we fail.. ;)
I want my T-shirt to say "If you're Wicked and you know it clap your hands"
Newt..the only think you should be sucking on this weekend is Oxygen, you needs to get those Sats up.. ;D
Hugs
Jan :-*
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Newt - I needed an Newt to Aidsmeds translator on that last post :)
Why are you suffering from low blood oxygen levels? Did I miss something?
I agree with Jan, lay off the poppers (which is the cause of AIDS btw ::)) until you can breathe. We can't have a consistent source of excellent information passing on us!
Pete
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I am joking about the poppers. I am not going to derail this thread discussing my post H1N1 flu pneumonia, suffice to say it's boring and lead to surrealist internet postings. Actually the finger thingy says its 94 after exercise tonight. The antibiotics are working perhaps. TB test results awaited.
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I am joking about the poppers. I am not going to derail this thread discussing my post H1N1 flu pneumonia, suffice to say it's boring and lead to surrealist internet postings. Actually the finger thingy says its 94 after exercise tonight. The antibiotics are working perhaps. TB test results awaited.
TB test usually only takes 24 to 48 hours to get a result if it's the skin-test. Hope you get to feeling better!
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jerking off in public with their own toes . . . livens up the bus shelter
It certainly does. I see this here in Seattle every day. Maybe that would look good on a t-shirt? :)
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I am joking about the poppers.
I'm not joking about poppers -- a trick this afternoon spilt an entire bottle all over a $300 Julius Shulman collectable book! Can you say "livid"?
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I will deign to join the Cabal on the promise that the Cabal will choose a Theme Song or Anthem. If we all kick in a couple of bucks, maybe we could get Trent Reznor to write up a little something for us. I always wanted to be in an Evil Cabal. The Illuminati and the Freemasons won't have me...
CaptCarl
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I'm not dancing naked .... Lipo butt .
Don't worry hon, I'm sure you look just fine lipo butt and all ;D let's both do the lipo butt dance, cause I've got that too :-*
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Its a deal . I have no ass and I cant dance but dance I shall !!!
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o hai
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Get me cofy ;D
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As a reminder to all cabal members, the meeting for this week has been moved to Wednesday night. Password will be required to enter.
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As a reminder to all cabal members, the meeting for this week has been moved to Wednesday night. Password will be required to enter.
Where you ever able to pick up that chicken in Hialeah for the sacrifice?
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Where you ever able to pick up that chicken in Hialeah for the sacrifice?
Yeah, and my new Haitian dealer is getting us a couple of goats.
Philicia is in charge of wardrobe and party favors this week.
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Philicia is in charge of wardrobe and party favors this week.
If that's the case nobody will gain entrance -- but hey, I'm known for having "parties-for-one" if there's a bowl of ketamine.
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If that's the case nobody will gain entrance -- but hey, I'm known for having "parties-for-one" if there's a bowl of ketamine.
Such a hoarder.
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Such a hoarder.
Oh yes -- my nickname used to be Hoover.
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Oh yes -- my nickname used to be Hoover.
Another name came to mind - but I shall "bite my tongue." ;D
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Oh yes -- my nickname used to be Hoover.
Me too! They always said I could suck better and deeper than a vacuum cleaner. The nickname didn't stick around after college.
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Screw lame blow jobs -- I just flip over and charge the hefty toll for the Holland Tunnel. It's what all the Big Boys want.
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Yeah, and my new Haitian dealer is getting us a couple of goats.
Philicia is in charge of wardrobe and party favors this week.
I got to admit ya'll had me nervous at that last AIDSmeds Cabal Sacrifice when you told me, "Skeebo lay on the table with your legs back"... but was relieved when Rev wiped the goat shit off the bottom of my shoe.
Btw, I don't want to dress as Elizabeth Taylor this time, you guys were pretty mean to me... thinking about not showing up.
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I got to admit ya'll had me nervous at that last AIDSmeds Cabal Sacrifice when you told me, "Skeebo lay on the table with your legs back"... but was relieved when Rev wiped the goat shit off the bottom of my shoe.
Btw, I don't want to dress as Elizabeth Taylor this time, you guys were pretty mean to me... thinking about not showing up.
We actually were gonna request that you dress as Whoppi - but then remembered that you no longer had the dreads --- so now we're leaning towards Liza.
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We actually were gonna request that you dress as Whoppi - but then remembered that you no longer had the dreads --- so now we're leaning towards Liza.
FUCK man.... I am getting tired of having to sit in wheelchairs.
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Skeebs, you could always wear a wig and go as Cher.
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Skeebs, you could always wear a wig and go as Cher.
Or Boy George circa 1982.
I'm going as Penélope Cruz, so I may be a few minutes late coz I gotta go and get my hair did.
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Skeebs, you could always wear a wig and go as Cher.
We all know he likes it spread eagle -- how else did he end up in this cesspool?
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Skeebs, you could always wear a wig and go as Cher.
If it's pre-Bono it might be acceptable...........
Or Boy George circa 1982.
I'm going as Penélope Cruz, so I may be a few minutes late coz I gotta go and get my hair did.
How in the hell does he get to go as someone current? Are you guys trying to tell me something? Fuck man, I'm choosing my own. I will show up as John Denver before that problem with the desert.
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I think my membership invitation to the AidsMeds Cabal got lost in the mail. Can this month's official leader please resend my membership info via PM?
odyssey
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The only Cabal I know of is a comic book secret society of supervillains and antiheroes in Marvel Comics' main shared universe.
So I'm thinking I will dress as either, Impala or Hera, both Female Super villians from the Marval Comics, I just can't decide which on is more Villainous.. ;)
Aroha
Jan :-*
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Hmmm, Cabal wear, eh?
Well, I think I will come as my favorite villian, Anton LeVey - or Ethel Merman.
Can't decide.
If Skeebs is going to be our sacrifice again (how many virginities can one person have?) may I video it this time.
The sketches and still photos just don't do him justice.
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If Skeebs is going to be our sacrifice again (how many virginities can one person have?) may I video it this time.
Its probably something like a cat situation, 9 lives, 9 virginities. Sounds roughly about right. Give or take a few virginities. Guess we'll find out when he stops volunteering, lol.
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I thought caballeros wore chaps ???
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Why am I reminded of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ-3rikUQ34
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Have I been evil enough yet to get my Kabal key? I really could try harder!
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Try using your nightly white zinfandel in enema form and you may have a spitting chance.
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How do you remember these little details? Is it a systematic conspiracy?
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How do you remember these little details? Is it a systematic conspiracy?
We take notes, a lot of notes. What kind of Cabal would we be if we weren't keeping up with your personal information and using it against you at a later date?
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Can I go as Minnie Castevet?
(http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy115/officefilebox/images-2.jpg)
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I was thinking Naked Dancing(tm) at every full moon, high holy day, and during the summer solstice and autumnal equinox?
Waht if we already do that??? ;D